1871-CC Liberty Head Double Eagle. EF-40 (PCGS).A bold and exciting example of this challenging key date Carson City Mint double eagle. The eye appeal is exceptional for the issue, with the surfaces fully original and displaying deep honey-wheat color. Traces of luster remain, and isolated field areas are modestly semi-prooflike. Scattered marks are commensurate with an early date CC-Mint twenty at this grade level, and none are worthy of undue concern.
The 1871-CC double eagle is one of the principle rarities of the denomination struck at Carson City, second only to the 1870-CC. The 174,387 coins produced at the Nevada facility that year were destined for immediate use in commerce, where gold was the vastly preferred medium of exchange. Thanks to its somewhat remote location, the coins were heavily used in local circulation for many years. There were essentially no numismatists in the region, hence nobody had the interest or wherewithal to set aside an example at the time. Very few escaped extensive circulation, and when available at all, the 1871-CC is usually found damaged and heavily abraded. The present example represents a significant find for advanced numismatists seeking one of the early double eagles from this perennially popular Western mint. It is among the finest of only 100 to 135 coins believed extant in EF and AU grades (per Rusty Goe, 2020), few of which are this problem free or original.PCGS# 8961. NGC ID: 26AB.<strong>To view all items from the Fairmont Collection-Kronen Set, click<a href="https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots?search=fairmont+collection&parent_category=1-11EIQ&lots_range=upcoming"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong>.From the Fairmont Collection - Kronen Set.
